In a World Full of Devouring Lions, Absolute Truth Stands Strong

In our current age of “fake news,” deepfakes, and a relentless roar of info overload, it is easy to feel surrounded by the lions of sin, lies and deception. In the back bush of Zambia, I quite literally faced the reality of lions, but for most people, these lions represent the Devil’s schemes to deceive and destroy them. So the question remains: Where can we find absolute truth? The Apostles and early church fathers would both emphatically point you to a single, unerring source: the Scriptures–the Bible.

Jesus often referred to the Scriptures in his teachings, the cleansing of the Temple, and rebukes of the Pharisees. We also, should look to God’s Word for absolute truth. The Apostle John’s first epistle provides a clear call to the absolute truth found in Jesus Christ. It is a truth that renews our minds and brings rebirth to our souls. Let’s silence the roars of the lions of the world, and jump into the wisdom of 1 John.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
– 1 John 1:5-6

Knowing the Truth: Walking in the Light

John begins by reminding us that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. Truth, is not a set of abstract principles but a reflection of God’s very nature. To walk in the light means to align our lives with this truth, acknowledge that we are dead in our sin, and seek forgiveness. We cannot be saved, until we admit we are lost. But it doesn’t end there. Our honesty and transparency before a loving God who desires to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, leads us to a life reborn in Jesus (John 3:3.)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above not on things that are on earth – Colossians 3:1-2

A mighty preacher of the gospel once said, “Truth demands a verdict.” We must continually evaluate our lives in the light of God’s Word, allowing it to expose any areas of darkness that need to be brought into the open.

Believing the Truth: Abiding in Christ

John warns us against the deceptive lies of the great lion of antichrist (1 John 2:18-27), who seeks to undermine the truth about Jesus’ identity, our identity in Christ and our mission. In a culture that constantly bombards us with sinful ideas, it’s crucial to ground ourselves in the unchanging truth of Scripture. As one famous preacher passionately proclaims, “The Bible is not a book to be debated; it’s a book to be believed!”

By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:5-6

Genuine faith is not blind adherence but a confident trust in the person of Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word. This faith leads to a transformed life, marked by holiness, and by the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.

Loving the Truth: Reflecting God’s Love

True love, is not only a feeling but more importantly, a sacrificial action that mirrors God’s love for us (1 John 3:11-18). Like Jesus, we are to be servant-leaders. Our actions, reveal the truth of our love. They also reveal whether our emotions are rooted in reality and not hype. Following Jesus, isn’t about empty emotion (there is nothing wrong with good feelings, when they are rooted in truth) but about laying down our lives for others, just as Christ laid down His life for us.

For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
– 1 John 3:11

Faithful teachers of the Gospel remind us, “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” Both are essential for authentic Christian living. When we love others as Christ loved us, we demonstrate the truth of the gospel in a tangible way.

Proclaiming the Truth: Sharing the Gospel

In a world dripping with deception, John urges us to “test the spirits” to discern truth from error. Not all who claim to speak for God are actually doing so. We must evaluate every teaching and experience against the unchanging standard of Scripture. And before we drift into pointing fingers at mega-churches on TV, let’s not forget the LGBTQ flags flying in front of thousands of pipe organ playing, hymn singing churches that have fully bowed their knee to Satan’s lies. It’s not our music or style of worship that defines a life of truth, it’s our obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. – 1 John 4:1

As we are led by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, we are empowered to boldly proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This isn’t just about sharing information but it’s about inviting others to be reborn in Christ, and into a faithful relationship with the God of all truth.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

Obeying the Truth: Overcoming the World

The Apostle John assures us that faith in Christ enables us to overcome the world’s temptations and deceptions. This isn’t a passive victory but an active resistance against the world’s values and sin.

As we obey God’s truth, we experience a freedom that the world cannot offer – a freedom from sin, fear, and the empty promises of this fleeting life.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. – 1 John 2:15-17

Jesus Is the Truth

The truth of Jesus and God’s Word, the Bible, is an absolute defense against the roaring lions of our world. As we are raised from death by this truth, we find not only knowledge but life, and hope. We must never surrender to the lions. We must fight. We must be courageous. Knowing that our weapons are not of this world. Our truth is not violence, guns and swords. But like John, we must preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must boldly declare, “This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20.)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. – 1 John 5:20

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:6–7

Amen.